Electric signaling apparatus



(No Model.)

J. P. COLEMAN.

ELECTRIC SIGNALING APPARATUS.

Patented Jan. l, 1889.

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JOIIN PRESSLEY COLEMAN, OF SVISSVALE, PENNSYLVANIA.

ELECTRIC SIGNALING APPARATUS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 395,315, dated January1, 1889.

Application filed March l0, 1888. Serial No. 266,805. (No model.)

.To @ZZ whom, it may concern:

15e it known that 1, JOHN PRnssLEY COLE- MAN, of Swissvale,-in thecounty of Allegheny and State of Pennsylvania, have invented a new anduseful Improvement in Electric Signaling' Apparatus; and I do herebydeclare the following to be a full, clear, and exact descriptionthereof, reference being had to the accompanying' drawings, forming partof this specication, in whichh t Figure 1 is a sectional elevation of myimproved device for operating a semaphore-signal, showing it as it iswhen the controlling electric circuit is closed or in its normal safetycondition, but before the Operative mechanism has been Operated to shiftthe signal from its danger7 position (shown in the drawings) to thesafetyposition. Fig. 3 is a similar view showing the parts in adifferent position and illustrating' the parts when the connectionbetween the semaphore and the operative mechanism is disjoined by breakin the electric circuit. Fig. 2 is a horizontal cross-section on theline @c of Eig. 1.

Like symbols of reference indicate like parts in each.

M y invention relates to an improvement in electrical. apparatus forrailroad-signals, commonly known as an electrical slot, which consistsof mechanism operated electrically from a distance, either automaticallyby action oi. a passing train or otherwise, so that when there is abreak in the electric circuit in which the slot is included the partsare so moved that the semaphore is brought automatically into a dangerposition, and the connection with the mechanically-operating parts ofthe semaphore is disjoined, so that it cannot again be brought into aposition of safety until the electric circuit is again established. Thissystem of signaling is one which is well understood, and as my inventionrelates only to the apparatus constituting the slot it will not benecessary that I should further describe the system of which it forms apart.

rIhe semaphore or other suitable signal, 1, is mounted in the usualmanner on the post 2, the short or lantern end of which is weighted, soas to raise it into a horizontal position indicating danger when free tomove. To

the short arm of the semaphore is connected the upright signal-operatingrod, consisting of a rod, 3, which extends down beside the post into abox or frame, 4., its lower end having a recess, 5, adapted to engage africtionroller, 6, which is mounted between the forked ends forming thehead 7 of the bell-crank lcver 8, which forms a continuation of thesectional operating-rod. This lever S, whose upper end is arrangedwithin the box or frame 4, is pivoted between lugs or hangers 19, whichform part of the box or frame, and the short arm 9 of this lever isconnected by a rod, 20, to the usual weighted lever, 10, which in turnis connected with a suitable operating-lever or other device.

In order to protect the box et from rain, which might otherwise findaccess to its interior, I provide the connecting-rod 3 with a hollowhood or cap, 24, which is iixed to the rod and works loosely over aprojection, 25, of the box within which the rod passes.

The box or frame et is so mounted in ways 11 on the post 2 as to permitof its vertical movement, as will be hereinafter more fully described.On top of the box or frame 4, within a protecting-cap, 13, is set anelectromagnet, 12, included in the electric circuit before mentioned.'.lhrough this magnet, which is preferably annular i-n construction,passes the rod 1-1, having at its upper end an armature, 15, and at itslower end extending down into the box 4 and connecting with the long armof a bell-crank lever or trigger, 1G, the short arm of which has a pin,17, which is adapted to engage a notch in the head 7 in certainpositions of the latter. The upper end of the rod 14 is reduced indiameter, thereby forming a shoulder for supporting the armature 15,located on the rod above the shoulder and held against it by a spring,18, which surrounds the rod and bears at its upper end against a washerheld in position by adjusting-nuts at the end of the rod. The functionof this spring is to prevent the jar of the dropping of the weightedlever 10 injuring the armature. This it does by acting as a cushionbetween the armature and its seating on the magnets.

The operation of the device is as follows: Suppose the parts to be asshown in Fig. 1

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t'. e., the electric circuit being completed, holding the armature 15 incontact with the magnets 12. The semaphore 1 is at safety7 and issupported by the friction-roller 6, being held in the recess 5 in thelower end of the rod 3 by the bell-crank lever 1G, the pin 17 of thatlever being in the notch in the head 7 ot the lever 8, and the long armof the bell-crank lever or trigger 16 being depressed by the attractiveforce of the magnets on the armature 15. The position of the weightedlever 10 is also such that when the box or case 4, with its containedparts, is in its lowest position, the entire weight of the box 4 issupported by a stop, 22, on the rod 3, which engages with the case. If,now, the lever 10 be moved by the operator so as to raise the rod 20,the stress comes upon the pivot 21, which connects this rod with the arm9 of the lever S, and if it were not for the attractive force of themagnet 12 the lever 8 would be thrown over to the right, so as todisengage the roller G from the rod 3. As it is, however, the magnetacting on the armature, opposes this force and keeps the friction-rollerin the notch 5, and hence the effect is to raise up not only the box 4,but the arm 3 as well, thus depressing the signal into the safetyposition. It, now, the circuit through the magnets 12 be broken from anycause the consequent demagnetization of the magnets 12, releasing thepull on the4 armature 15, causes the weight of the signal and the box 4,acting on the lever S, to turn this lever to the right on the center 21until it4 comes into contact with a stop, 2S, and thereby to disengagethe head of the le` ver 8 from the rod 3 and to raise the triggerlever16. The rod 3 and the semaphore-signal are then unsupported, and thesemaphore consequently rises to a horizontal danger7 position, while therod 3 drops within the case 4. Any further motion of the lever 10 by theoperator will not affect the rod 3 or the signal, but will simply act onthe ilangcs 1) of the box 4 to raise this box loosely and to bring theparts into the position of Fig. 3. Suppose, now, that the electriccircuit is closed by a train having passed off a track-section orotherwise. Then if the lever lObe turned, so as to lower the box 4 andits contained parts, the lever 8 will descend with the box until thefriction-roller 6 at the end of thc'lcver comes opposite to the notch 5at the lower end of the rod 3, when the lever will moveto the left, soas to engage this roller in the notch 5 and to engage the notch on thehead 7 ol the lever 8 with the pin 17 ot' the triggerlever 16, at thesame time moving this trigger-lever so as to bring the armature 15 intocontact with the excited magnet 12. The parts are then in the positionshown in Fig. 1, and any motion of the lever 10 in the reverse directionwill raise the rod 3 and will shift the signal to safety, as will bereadily understood.

As thus constructed the apparatus is of very great utility, because ofits simplicity o1' construction, cheapness, and easeof action. Thecompound arrangement of the levers is such that an electric circuit ofcomparatively little strength may be employed for holding the trigger 1Gin position and resisting the displacement of the lever S. The partsmay, however, be greatly modified in form and location without departingfrom the principle of my invention, as expressed in the claims whichform part of this specification.

Instead of the semaphore-signal which I show, the apparatus may beadapted to operato other forms of signal.

One of the distinguishing features of my invention is the use of thepivoted lever S, which forms part of the operating mechanism ot thesignal, and which is movable on its pivot into and out of operativerelation to the other connecting mechanism. The advantage of thisconstruction over prior devices, wherein two slidingrods or plates areused for this purpose, is that I obtain a mechanism capable of greatcertainty of action and not liable to be injuriouslyaitected by theaction of rust or gum.

I claim- 1. In an apparatus for connecting a signal with its primaryactuating mechanism, the combination, with the signal and itsconnecting-rod, of a pivoted lever which forms one ot' the mechanicalconnections between the signal and the actuating mechanism, said leverbeing movable on its pivot into and out o1' connection with the signalconnecting-rod, and an electro-magnet which acts on the lever to hold itin connection with the said signal. connecting-rod, substantially as andfor the purposes described.

2. In an apparatus for connecting a signal with its primary actuatingmechanism, the combination, with the signal and its connectin g-rod, ofa pivoted lever which forms one of the mechanical connections betweenthe signal and the actuating mechanism, said lever being movable on itspivot into and out of connection with the signal connecting-rod, atrigger which engages the rod and holds the rod and lever in connection,and an electro-niagnet which controls the trigger, substantially as andfor the purposes described.

3. The combination of an electric circuit, a signal, a movable box orframe, a lever pivoted thereto and arranged to engage thesignal-operating mechanism, a trigger controlled by an electro-magnettor holding the lever in operative relation with the signal, said leverbeing connected with the moving mechanism ot the box or frame, whichacts thereon against hc torce of the magnet and tendsv to disengage thelever trom the signal, substantially as and for the purposes described.

4. In an apparatus for connecting a signal with its primary actuatingmechanism, the combination, with the signal and its. connectin g-rod, ofa pivoted lever which forms one of the mechanical connections betweenthe signal and the actuating mechanism, said lever IOO IIO

being movable into and ont of connection With the signal connecting-rod,an electromagnet and its armature which acts on the lever to hold it inconnection with the said signal connectiligrod, and a spring which bearson the armature, substantially as and for the purposes described.

5. In an apparatus for connecting a signal With its primary actuatingmechanism, the combination, With the signal and its connecting-rod, of arod or lever which is movable vertically to operate the signal, a box orcase into which said rod or lever projects, said box or case beingconnected with the rod or lever JOHN PRESSLEY COLEMAN..

Witnesses:

WV. B. CORWIN, THOMAS W. BAKEWELL.

